Philip Zimbardo · 1971
Stanford Prison Experiment
An infamous experiment stopped in 6 days. Ordinary students became sadistic monsters when assigned the role of "guards".
Methodology
Recruitment:
• 75 applicants → 24 most "normal" selected
• Paid $15/day (approx $100 today)
• Randomly assigned Guard/Prisoner via coin toss
️ Prison Setting:
• Real police arrest
• Prisoners: Numbered basic smocks, ankle chains
• Guards: Khaki uniforms, sunglasses, batons
Zimbardo acted as "Superintendent"
Findings
Timeline:
• Day 2: Rebellion → Guards used fire extinguishers
• Day 3: Prisoner #8612 breakdown (Thought to be acting initially)
• Day 4: Escape rumors
• Day 5: Parents visit → Staged clean-up
• Day 6: Stopped after outsider (Zimbardo's GF) objected
Guard Behavior:
• 2 AM counts just to harass
• Toilet use as privilege
• Forced cleaning of toilets with bare hands
Significance
Social Impact:
• Cited in Abu Ghraib discussions
• "Lucifer Effect": Good people can turn evil in bad systems
️ 2018 Exposé:
• Tapes revealed Zimbardo coached guards to be "tougher"
• Some participants admitted acting
• Considered scientifically flawed today but historically significant